Starting an A.I. Program - Preparation, Protocols, Implementation

Starting an A.I. Program

Preparation, Protocols, Implementation and Expectations

Why A.I.?

Heifers• Reduce calving difficulty without

sacrificing performance by using proven sires

• Improve reproductive performance– Heifers calve early in the calving season– Less dystocia helps heifers breed back

• Cost – competes favorably with buying low birthweight bulls

Why A.I.?

Cows• Produce seedstock – bulls and

replacement females• Cost – introduce specific desired genetics

with small investment• Manage risk by using proven sires

Why A.I.?

Get cows and heifers pregnant

Estrous Synchronization combined with A.I. is a reproductive and genetics management tool.

GoalsImportant to have a desired outcome of the

A.I. program• Cow herd

– Genetics are permanent and cumulative– Decisions made today can impact the herd

for 10 to 20 years– Bull power is easy to change, cow herd is not– Length of calving season

• manage with heifer breeding season length

Goals

• Heifers– Calving ease– Calve early in calving season to help

reproductive performance• First step to manage calving season length

– Potential seedstock source (bulls, replacement heifers)

-4.00%-2.00%0.00%2.00%4.00%6.00%8.00%

10.00%12.00%

First 21days

Second 21days

Third 21days

Last 21days

Lifetime Average ROI per Female as Affected by Date of Calving as a Two-Year-Old

L. R. Sprott, TX A&M, 2001

Summary data: 5 TX herds, 1500+ head

Cows that calve earlier wean heavier calves and make more

moneyProfit Index by 21-Day Calving Interval

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

Early 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Late

Prof

it In

dex

(ave

rage

=100

)

Source: Harlan Hughes, 2005, based on 10+ yrsof data from NDSU CHAPS program

The calving season should be front loaded

Synchronization can help frontload the calving season

Synchronization and A.I. of yearling heifers, followed by synch and A.I. after their first calf, can nearly eliminate late-calving cows through their second calf.

Subsequent Calving Profile of Second-Calf Cows (bred natural vs. synch-A.I.)

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Calving Interval

Natural ServiceSynch / A.I.

The Value of Synchronization

Day ofBreeding Season 0--------------------21--------------------42--------------------63

Day ofBreeding Season 0----------------------23--------------------44--------------------65

1st Cycle 2nd Cycle 3rd Cycle

1st

Non Synchronized

Synchronized

More Calves• More chances to conceive during the

breeding season• Some synch systems induce cows to

cycle earlier

2nd Cycle 3rd Cycle 4th Cycle

50% + 50% + 50% = 88%

TotalPregnancy

Rate

+ 50% + 50% = 94%

TotalPregnancy

Rate

50% + 50%

Heavier Calves• Calves are born earlier on average• 9 days x 2.0 ADG x $1.10 = $19.80

Up to 9 day advantage Will pay for

almost any synch program

How to Choose the Right Estrous Synchronization

Protocol(s)

The most effective synchronization protocols are included in the Protocol

Sheets developed by Beef Reproduction Task Force

Three Basic Types

• Heat Detection Only

• Heat Detection + Clean-up Timed A.I.

• Fixed Time A.I.

Consult www.beefrepro.info for most current protocols and tips for success

BBEEFEEF CCOWOW SSYNCHRONIZATIONYNCHRONIZATION PPROTOCOLSROTOCOLS

Select SynchHEAT DETECTION

FIXED-TIME AI (TAI)

Select Synch

+ CIDR®

Select Synch & TAI

Select Synch + CIDR® & TAI

7-day CO-Synch + CIDR®

Heat detect and AI day 7 to 10 and TAI all non-responders 72 - 84 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

Perform TAI at 60 to 66 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

GnRH

PG

Cystorelin®, Factrel®, Fertagyl®, OvaCyst®

Estrumate®, In-Synch®, Lutalyse®, ProstaMate®

HEAT DETECT & TIME AI (TAI)

7 13

PGGnRH

0 4Heat detect & AI

treatment day

GnRH

7

PGGnRH

0Heat detect & AI

10

AICIDR® .. 72 - 84 hr

..treatment day

7

PGGnRH

0 10

GnRH

AICIDR®

.. 60 - 66 hr ..

treatment day

7 13

CIDR®

0

GnRH PG

Heat detect & AItreatment day

Heat detect and AI day 4 to 10 and TAI all non-responders 72 – 84 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

GnRH

0 4 7

PG

Heat detect & AI10

GnRH

AI.. 72 - 84 hr

..treatment day


Two injections of PG 8 ± 2 hr apart are required for this protocol. Perform TAI at 72 ± 2 hr after 1st PG with GnRH at TAI.

5

PGGnRH

0 8

GnRH

AICIDR®

….... 72 ± 2 hr ……

treatment day

PG…8±2 hr…

PG 6-day CIDR® & TAIHeat detect and AI days 0 to 3. Administer CIDR to non-responders and heat detect and AI days 9 to 12. TAI non-responders 72 - 84 hr after CIDR removal with GnRH at AI Protocol may be used in heifers.

9

PG

Heat detect & AI12

GnRH

30

PG

Heat detect & AI

CIDR®

treatment day

GnRH

AI.. 72 - 84 hr ..

9

PG

Heat detect & AI12

GnRH

3

PG

0Heat detect & AI

treatment day

CIDR®

PG 6-day CIDR®

Administer CIDR to non-responders & heat detect and AI days 9 to 12. Protocol may be used in heifers.

BEEF HEIFER SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOLS

1 Shot PG

HEAT DETECTION HEAT DETECT & TIME AI (TAI)

FIXED-TIME AI (TAI)

CIDR®-PG

MGA®-PG

MGA®-PG & TAI

Select Synch + CIDR® & TAI

CO-Synch + CIDR®

MGA®-PG


Heat detect and AI day 33 to 36 and TAI all non-responders 72 - 84 hrs after PG with GnRH at TAI.

Perform TAI at 54 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

Perform TAI at 72 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

6

GnRH

PG

Cystorelin®, Factrel®, Fertagyl®, OvaCyst®

Estrumate®, In-Synch®, Lutalyse®, ProstaMate®

PG

Heat detect & AI-5 0treatment day

MGA

1 14

PG

33

Heat detect & AI

GnRH

36

AI.. 72 - 84 hr ..… 19 d …

treatment dayGnRH

0 7

PG

9

GnRH

AICIDR®

.. 54 hr ..

treatment day

MGA

1 14

PG

33 36

GnRH

AI… 19 d … .. 72 hr ..

treatment day

MGA

1 14

PG

33 39

Heat detect & AI

… 19 d …

treatment day

0 7 13

CIDR®

PG


GnRH

0 7

PG

Heat detect & AI10

GnRH

AICIDR®

.. 72 - 84 hr ..

treatment day

7

PGGnRH

0

Heat detect & AI

10

GnRH

AICIDR®

Select Synch + CIDR® & TAIHeat detect and AI day 7 to 10 and TAI all non-responders 72 - 84 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

.. 72 - 84 hr ..

treatment day

BEEF COW PROTOCOLS - 2011

Select Synch

7 13

PGGnRH

0 6


Select Synch + CIDR®

7 130

GnRH PG


HEAT DETECT & TIME AI (TAI)

GnRH

0 6 7

PG

Heat detect & AI

10

GnRH

AI

Select Synch & TAIHeat detect and AI day 6 to 10 and TAI all non-responders 72 – 84 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

.. 72 - 84 hr ..

treatment day

CIDR®

9

PG

Heat detect & AI

12

PG 6-day CIDR®

GnRH

30

PG

Heat detect & AI

Heat detect and AI days 0 to 3. Administer CIDR to non-responders and heat detect and AI days 9 to 12. Protocol may be used in heifers.

9

PG

Heat detect & AI

12

GnRH

AI

PG 6-day CIDR® & TAI

.. 72 - 84 hr ..

GnRH

3

PG

Heat detect & AI days 0 to 3. Administer CIDR to non-responders & heat detect and AI days 9 to 12. TAI non-responders 72 - 84 hr after CIDR removal with GnRH at AI. Protocol may be used in heifers.

0Heat detect & AI

CIDR®

treatment day

treatment dayCIDR®

FIXED-TIME AI (TAI)*

7

PGGnRH

0 10

GnRH

AICIDR®

7-day CO-Synch + CIDR®Perform TAI at 60 to 66 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

.. 60 - 66 hr ..

treatment day

5

PGGnRH

0 8

GnRH

AICIDR®


…..72 ± 2 hr..

treatment day

8±2 hr

Two injections of PG 8 ± 2 hr apart are required for this protocol.

PG

Perform TAI at 72 ± 2 hr after 1st PG with GnRH at TAI.

GnRH Cystorelin®, Factrel®, Fertagyl®, OvaCyst®

PG estroPLAN®, Estrumate®, In-Synch®, Lutalyse®, ProstaMate®

Beef Reproduction Task ForceApproved 12-01-10

HEAT DETECTION Cost LaborSelect Synch Low Medium/HighSelect Synch + CIDR® High Medium PG 6-day CIDR® Medium Medium/High

HEAT DETECT & TAI Cost LaborSelect Synch Low Medium/High(TAI non-responders 72-84 hr after PG)

Select Synch + CIDR® High Medium (TAI non-responders 72-84 hr after PG)

PG 6-day CIDR® Medium Medium/High(TAI non-responders 72-84 hr after PG)

FIXED-TIME AI (TAI) Cost Labor7-day CO-Synch + CIDR® High Medium (TAI 60 to 66 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI)

5-day CO-Synch + CIDR® High High(TAI 72 ± 2 hr after 1st PG with GnRH at TAI)

•The times listed for “Fixed-time AI” should be considered as the approximate average time of insemination. This should be based on the number of cows to inseminate, labor, and facilities.

HEAT DETECTION

1 Shot PG

HEAT DETECTION

PG

Heat detect & AI

0 125

treatment day

7-day CIDR®-PG

0 7 13

CIDR®

PG


MGA®-PG

MGA

1 14

PG

33 39

Heat detect & AI

… 19 d …

treatment day

HEAT DETECT & TIME AI (TAI)Select Synch + CIDR® & TAI

GnRH

0 7

PG

Heat detect & AI

10

GnRH

AICIDR®


.. 72 - 84 hr ..

treatment day

MGA®-PG & TAI

MGA

1 14

PG

33

Heat detect & AI

GnRH

36

AI

Heat detect and AI day 33 to 36 and TAI all non-responders 72 - 84 hrs after PG with GnRH at TAI.

.. 72 - 84 hr ..… 19 d …

treatment day

14-day CIDR®-PG & TAI

0 14

PG

30

Heat detect & AI

GnRH

33

AI

Heat detect and AI day 30 to 33 and TAI all non-responders 72 hrs after PG with GnRH at TAI.

… 16 d …

treatment day

CIDR®

..70 - 74 hr ..

FIXED-TIME AI (TAI)*

GnRH

0 7

PG

9

GnRH

AICIDR®


.. 54 ± 2 hr ..

treatment day

Perform TAI at 54 ± 2 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI.

MGA®-PG

MGA

1 14

PG

33 36

GnRH

AI


… 19 d … 72 ± 2 hr

treatment day

14-day CIDR®-PG

CIDR ®

0 14

PG

30 33

GnRH

AI


66 ± 2 hr

treatment day

... 16 d …

HEAT DETECTION Cost Labor1 Shot PG Low High7-day CIDR®-PG High MediumMGA®-PG Low Low/Medium

HEAT DETECT & TAI Cost LaborSelect Synch + CIDR® High Medium(TAI non-responders 72-84 hr after PG)

MGA®-PG Medium Medium(TAI non-responders 72-84 hr after PG)

14-day CIDR®-PG High Medium(TAI non-responders 70-74 hr after PG)

FIXED-TIME AI (TAI) Cost Labor7-day CO-Synch + CIDR® High Medium (TAI 54 ± 2 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI)

MGA®-PG Medium Medium(TAI 72 ± 2 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI)

14-day CIDR®-PG High Medium(TAI 66 ± 2 hr after PG with GnRH at TAI)

Beef Reproduction Task ForceApproved 12-01-10

•The times listed for “Fixed-time AI” should be considered as the approximate average time of insemination. This should be based on the number of heifers to inseminate, labor, and facilities.

BEEF HEIFER PROTOCOLS - 2011

Management Considerations

• Schedule Estrous Synchronization/AI.– Use calendar or synchronization planner to develop

schedule – know when each application needs to be completed

– Consult A.I. Professional for assistance in developing and implementing program if necessary

– Plan purchase of synchronization products, semen, and supplies well in advance of use

• Some synchronization products require prescription• Use semen from reputable AI stud from bulls meeting

health standards

Management Considerations

• Proper nutrition (energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, water all important).

• Good herd health program.

• Adequate working facilities.

• Low stress cattle handling.

Synchronization Application• Give pre-breeding vaccinations at least 30 days

before breeding• Read directions and cautions – make certain

right product is being used at the right time• Use proper vaccination technique

– Each animal must receive correct dosage, use single dose syringe if necessary

– Use 18 gauge needles• Take time to make sure products are properly

administered

Heat Detection

When using protocol that includes heat detection nearly half of the cattle could be in heat at the same time

• Dedicate time and manpower to do a great job of heat detection

• Sort and remove detected females as they are identified

• Use detection aids for assistance

Heat Detection Aids

Artificial Insemination

• Review semen handling and insemination procedures prior to breeding

• Check thaw unit temperature • Use recommended thawing procedures• Inseminate cattle within 24 hours of

detection – timing is not as critical as accurate detection when using a heat detection protocol

Reasonable Expectations

Equation of Reproduction

• A = % of Herd Detected in Heat/Effectiveness of Synchronization and Fixed Time A.I. Program

• B = Inseminator Efficiency in %

• C = Herd’s Fertility Level in %

• D = Semen Fertility Level in %

Equation of Reproduction

• Product of Multiplying the Four Factors

• A x B x C x D = % pregnancy

• Total Can NOT be Larger Than the Smallest Percentage

Percent Pregnancies

Ideal FactorsA = 90%B = 100%C = 90%D = 95%A x B x C x D =

77% Pregnant

Factors Reduced 10%A = 80%B = 90%C = 80%D = 85%A x B x C x D =

49% Pregnant

Multi-State CIDR Trial

• Results vary between herds• Protocols with Heat Detection + Clean-up

Timed A.I. or Fixed Time A.I. yield most pregnancies

Pregnancy Rates after Estrus Detection Alone vs TAI - heifers

49.1

9.9 10.5

53.144.6 46.8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

CIDR-PG & TAI Select Synch+CIDR&TAI

CO-Synch+CIDR CIDR-PG+TAI

%

Treatment

54.5 57.353.1

49.1

P = 0.221

Effect of Location on Pregnancy Rates

61

38

74

5358 57 55

39

485353 54

0

20

40

60

80

IL-1 IL-2 KS-1 KS-2 MN-1 MN-2 MT-1 MT-2 MT-3 ND OH-1 OH-2

Locations

%

Pregnancy Rates after Estrus Detection Alone vs TAI - Cows

41

14 1210

485439 43

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

CIDR-PG & TAI CO-Synch COSynch+CIDR Select Synch &TAI

SelectSync+CIDR and

TAI

%

TreatmentP < 0.05

a ba,bcb

53

43

54 5358

Effect of Location on Pregnancy Rates

64

4653

48

3942

57 5852

55

475453

67

0

20

40

60

80

IL-1 IL-2 IN KS-1 KS-2 MN-1 MN-2 MN-3 MT OH-1 OH-2 OH-3 OH-4 TN

%

Locations

• Research continues to be done to improve synchronization protocols and A.I. results

• As improvements to synchronization systems are made they will be added to the protocol sheets

• Work to stay up to date on the use of reproductive technologies

www.beefrepro.info

Success Factors• Good year-round nutrition program• Good herd health program• Cows body condition score 5+ at calving

– Heifers 5+ without getting too fat• Post-partum interval > 45 days at breeding• Cattle gaining weight at breeding• Good facilities – minimize stress on cattle and

people• Proven synchronization protocol & application• High quality semen & technicians• Don’t be afraid to ask for help

A successful synchronization and AI program is not only feasible, it is expected with attention to detail.

It Can Be Done!

Documents

Starting an A.I. Program - Preparation, Protocols, Implementation